The Episcopal Lectionary is based on the Revised Common Lectionary, which is, itself, based on the Roman Catholic Lectionary, a product of Vatican II. So it is that, most often, the Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic and other churches are using the same lessons, with slight variations. The lessons presented here follow the Episcopal form of the Revised Common Lectionary. If you are a member of one of the other denominations, these may also be your lessons, but (!) double check before you base a sermon on them.

The Sunday Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. The year which begins with Advent 2011 and ends at Advent 2012 is Year B. The year which began at Advent 2010 and ended at Advent 2011 was Year A. The First Sunday of Advent 2012 begins Year C.

The Bible translation used is The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The collects and the Psalms are from the Book of Common Prayer. The collects use the contemporary wording.

The liturgical color appropriate for the day is indicated, when the color is green, red or purple, by the color of the numeral against a light grey background. When the liturgical color is white, the numeral is black against a white background.